The project is a collaboration with WTI, the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of Bihar and the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, and is supported by the Los Angeles Zoo, California.
- Currently, over 2600 gharials are found in its distribution range. Of this approx. 250 individuals are found in the Gandak River. There has been a significant increase in their population from 50 in 2015.
- Gandak river constitutes the second largest population in its distribution range.
- It is the only major population (population large than 100) which is outside protected area.
- Law and order situation was very poor in the past (before 2008-09) in the area. Perhaps due to this reason, the river was not surveyed by researchers before 2010.
- Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and Nepal government have also released gharials in the Narayani-Gandak River system.
- Gharials released in the Gandak River have dispersed to the Ganga and its other tributaries.
The communities living in and around the gharial areas are eyes on any unwanted activities threatening to gharial and other aquatic animals and their habitat. They inform about such activities which help us in taking appropriate steps. Farmers and fishermen also inform about nesting by gharials; the project take cognizance of their information and take appropriate conservation measures. The local government (Gram Panchayats) near the key gharial habitats also provide support in decision making regarding protection of habitats.
Read the full story that first appeared in Fair Planet here:
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